Truck Race Superprix at Brands - 6th Nov

[MikeTrill]

I'm going to the Truck Race Superprix at Brands on Sunday 6th Nov. This is the first time out at a race for me, where I am going purely for photo's.

Obviously I am restricted to the public areas. I was going to stick round the druids area. I already have a 70-200 ( +1.4x) and may have a 100-400L by then.

Is druids a good place to start out? Any suggestions/advice greatfully received.

If this has already been covered, please feel free to point me in the right direction!

[Dave_G]

Druids isn't too bad from my experience.

You can get some decent shots of them coming up the hill towards you from the outside and the same of them apexing as they round the hairpin, you just need to move around a bit that's all. From inside you can get them as they start their ascent right up to the turn in point, on the apex and as they exit and go towards what is now called 'bottom bend' (used to be Graham Hill).

You can also get them as they enter paddock hill from just opposite...err..the paddock too.

Clearways/McLaren is good too, you can get them coming towards you, going away and going through the apex of the bend from there and down through Clark.

400mm is a must from the outside of Druids and the Clearways/Mclaren section too, just so you can get through the fencing.

http://www.msport-uk.com/circuitmaps/brands_hatch.gif

[Dave_G]

Oh, and the Trucks will be on the 'Indy' circuit too, they'll be spearing off towards McLaren and Clearways from Surtees - not left and out into the country.

Trucks on the GP circuit. hahahhahahahaha MAD. One day...

[MikeTrill]

Thanks Dave, I appreciate your input!

[Cadwell]

Whilst Druid's would normally be a good area, do not be surprised if access there is restricted for the truck races. I think it likely that the infield section will be closed and I am not at all sure about the banking on the outside of the corner at the apex. These trucks take a hell of a lot of stopping and the armco at Brands simply wouldn't be up to it. It's not uncommon at other circuits where they run for extra crowd safety precautions to be put in place.

[AzzA]

Yes that's a good point. At Thruxton earlier this year Club Chicane had limited viewing - from the top of the bank only. This meant only about 10 people had a good view from there :p but once you've seen the trucks you soon understand why :eek: :) It's just a bit of a shame when it's the support races like the mini's as your kinda miles away.

Paddock would still be a good spot, but need a long lens and being behind the fence limits the type of shots you can get. But still, a favourite to view from :cool: Clearways should be good, really anywhere is good at Brands and with Trucks being as big as they are you don't need as big a lens as normal as they tend to fill the frame whether you like it or not :lol:

I really hope they don't close the inside of Druids, but I could understand why as if they got a little bit too much power on they would go straight through the barrier :eek: Is there any way we could find out for definate? If viewing is restricted I may not go.

Cheers

[Cadwell]

I guess the only way to know for sure would be to phone Brands Hatch and ask them.

[MikeTrill]

Silly question (for those who know the answer). I've seen some great racing shots taken in the rain. If water does get inside the hood and onto the filter. What can do you guys use to dry out the lens?

I was thinking about two large lens cleaning cloths. One for removing most of the water, the second for a final polish. Any advice greatfully received as ususal.

[Dave_G]

I use a bar towel (kindly donated by my local landlord :D) to keep any water off the outside of the lens and body and couple of micrfibre cleaning cloths for the glass and filters, obviously torrential storms are to be avoided...!

[MikeTrill]

How much rain is too much?
I know some of the canon lens are spec as sealed, but do you run a risk of getting water inside the body (1D MKIIN, for instance) if you used something like a 100=400L or a sigma 120-300?

Currently, I hide my stuff away if it starts to rain. At the moment I have a 350D and I don't think any has ever said thats water proof.

But Brands at the end of Oct, sounds like an open invite for the heavens to open to me!

[Cadwell]

I will shoot in everything short of a monsoon. I have covers for the camera and lenses. The only time I won't shoot is if strong wind is blowing rain consistently down the lens hood and the end element is getting soaked.

In answer to your specific question, as the lens mount is not sealed when using a non-weather sealed lens, then even the "weather sealed" bodies are vunlenerable to water getting in through the mount in those circumstances.

[MikeTrill]

I have covers for the camera and lenses.

Thanks. I will try plastic bags and rubber bands, which I think you suggested elsewhere recently!

[GSH]

I was at Croft today in errr...."mixed" weather :)

Kept an old hand towel over the 20D & 100-400L and just got on with it. Haven't done the bout of 'flu i've had all week any good, but the camera & lens are just fine:rolleyes: :cry: :lol:

[KennyG]

The 100-400L is a great lens but acts like a bucket if pointed downwards, in even light rain.

Plastic bags and rubber bands or the leg from old waterproof trousers, or arm from old waterproof jacket are ideal. Don't worry too much about rain spots on the front element, they won't be seen.

A couple of microfibre cloths should be in everyone's pocket anyway to dry off the camera and give the lens an odd wipe. Just don't get too paranoid or you will never take pictures in anything other than perefect conditions.

[MikeTrill]

Anyone else going to be there on Sunday? If so, I am happy to exchange beer for advice!

[Cadwell]

I suspect there will be quite a few of us wandering around. I'll be there for one. Look out for POTN camera straps and say "hello".

[MikeTrill]

Look out for POTN camera straps and say "hello".


Glad I've got one of those already!

I will be the fat/balding guy trying to work out which direction to point his camera in!

Thanks for the response!